Systems and methods for operating a gateway in a satellite system including multi-band satellite terminals

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for operating a multi-band satellite terminal are disclosed. One aspect disclosed features a method, comprising: controlling a multi-band satellite terminal capable of receiving signals on a plurality of frequency bands to receive a signal transmitted by a satellite on a first frequency band of the plurality of frequency bands; determining link conditions of the first frequency band based on the received signal; generating an estimate of link conditions of a second frequency band of the plurality of frequency bands, wherein the estimate is generated based on the link conditions of the first frequency band; selecting the second frequency band based on the estimate of the link conditions of the second frequency band; and controlling the multi-band satellite ground terminal to receive the signal transmitted by the satellite on the second frequency band.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/731,605, filed Dec. 31, 2019, entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODSFOR OPERATING A MULTI-BAND SATELLITE TERMINAL,” the disclosure thereofincorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to satellite networks. Moreparticularly, some embodiments of the present disclosure are directedtoward systems and methods for a multi-band satellite terminal.

BACKGROUND

Modern satellite communication systems provide a robust and reliableinfrastructure to distribute voice, data, and video signals for globalexchange and broadcast of information. These satellite communicationsystems have emerged as a viable option to terrestrial communicationsystems for carrying data traffic such as Internet traffic. A typicalsatellite Internet system comprises subscriber terminals, a satellite, aground station, and connectivity to the internet. Communication in sucha system occurs along two links: 1) a link from a subscriber terminal tothe satellite to the ground station to the gateway to the internet,referred to as an “inroute,” and 2) a link from the internet to thegateway to the ground station to the satellite to the subscriberterminal, commonly referred to as an “outroute.”

SUMMARY

In general, one aspect disclosed features a multi-band satelliteterminal capable of receiving signals on a plurality of frequency bands,comprising: a hardware processor; and a non-transitory machine-readablestorage medium storing instructions executable by the hardware processorto perform a method comprising: controlling a multi-band satelliteterminal capable of receiving signals on a plurality of frequency bandsto receive a signal transmitted by a satellite on a first frequency bandof the plurality of frequency bands; determining link conditions of thefirst frequency band based on the received signal; generating anestimate of link conditions of a second frequency band of the pluralityof frequency bands, wherein the estimate is generated based on the linkconditions of the first frequency band; selecting the second frequencyband based on the estimate of the link conditions of the secondfrequency band; and controlling the multi-band satellite ground terminalto receive the signal transmitted by the satellite on the secondfrequency band.

Embodiments of the multi-band satellite terminal may include one or moreof the following features. Some embodiments comprise comparing theestimate of the link conditions to desired link conditions; andselecting the second frequency band based on the comparing. In someembodiments, the estimate of the link conditions include an estimate ofthe link conditions for a plurality of modulation and coding schemes,the method further comprising: selecting one of the modulation andcoding schemes based on the estimates of the link conditions for theplurality of modulation and coding schemes; and controlling themulti-band satellite ground terminal to receive the signal transmittedby the satellite using the selected one of the modulation and codingschemes. In some embodiments, the link conditions comprise at least oneof signal quality or signal level. Some embodiments comprise determininga current traffic level for the second frequency band; and selecting thesecond frequency bands based on the current traffic levels. Someembodiments comprise transmitting the estimate of the link conditions toa gateway; receiving a band selection from the gateway; and selectingthe second frequency band based on the band selection. In someembodiments, the multi-band satellite terminal comprises a very smallaperture terminal (VSAT).

In general, one aspect disclosed features a non-transitorymachine-readable storage medium storing instructions executable by ahardware processor of a computing component, the machine-readablestorage medium comprising instructions to cause the hardware processorto perform a method comprising: controlling a multi-band satelliteterminal capable of receiving signals on a plurality of frequency bandsto receive a signal transmitted by a satellite on a first frequency bandof the plurality of frequency bands; determining link conditions of thefirst frequency band based on the received signal; generating anestimate of link conditions of a second frequency band of the pluralityof frequency bands, wherein the estimate is generated based on the linkconditions of the first frequency band; selecting the second frequencyband based on the estimate of the link conditions of the secondfrequency band; and controlling the multi-band satellite ground terminalto receive the signal transmitted by the satellite on the secondfrequency band.

Embodiments of the non-transitory machine-readable storage medium mayinclude one or more of the following features. Some embodiments comprisecomparing the estimate of the link conditions to desired linkconditions; and selecting the second frequency band based on thecomparing. In some embodiments, the estimate of the link conditionsinclude an estimate of the link conditions for a plurality of modulationand coding schemes, the method further comprising: selecting one of themodulation and coding schemes based on the estimates of the linkconditions for the plurality of modulation and coding schemes; andcontrolling the multi-band satellite ground terminal to receive thesignal transmitted by the satellite using the selected one of themodulation and coding schemes. In some embodiments, the link conditionscomprise at least one of signal quality or signal level. Someembodiments comprise determining a current traffic level for the secondfrequency band; and selecting the second frequency bands based on thecurrent traffic levels. Some embodiments comprise transmitting theestimate of the link conditions to a gateway; receiving a band selectionfrom the gateway; and selecting the second frequency band based on theband selection. In some embodiments, the terminal comprises a very smallaperture terminal (VSAT).

In general, one aspect disclosed features a method, comprising:controlling a multi-band satellite terminal capable of receiving signalson a plurality of frequency bands to receive a signal transmitted by asatellite on a first frequency band of the plurality of frequency bands;determining link conditions of the first frequency band based on thereceived signal; generating an estimate of link conditions of a secondfrequency band of the plurality of frequency bands, wherein the estimateis generated based on the link conditions of the first frequency band;selecting the second frequency band based on the estimate of the linkconditions of the second frequency band; and controlling the multi-bandsatellite ground terminal to receive the signal transmitted by thesatellite on the second frequency band.

Embodiments of the method may include one or more of the followingfeatures. Some embodiments comprise comparing the estimate of the linkconditions to desired link conditions; and selecting the secondfrequency band based on the comparing. In some embodiments, the estimateof the link conditions include an estimate of the link conditions for aplurality of modulation and coding schemes, the method furthercomprising: selecting one of the modulation and coding schemes based onthe estimates of the link conditions for the plurality of modulation andcoding schemes; and controlling the multi-band satellite ground terminalto receive the signal transmitted by the satellite using the selectedone of the modulation and coding schemes. In some embodiments, the linkconditions comprise at least one of signal quality or signal level. Someembodiments comprise determining a current traffic level for the secondfrequency band; and selecting the second frequency bands based on thecurrent traffic levels. Some embodiments comprise transmitting theestimate of the link conditions to a gateway; receiving a band selectionfrom the gateway; and selecting the second frequency band based on theband selection.

Other features and aspects of the disclosure will become apparent fromthe following detailed description, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the featuresin accordance with various embodiments. The summary is not intended tolimit the scope of the invention, which is defined solely by the claimsattached hereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The technology disclosed herein, in accordance with one or more variousembodiments, is described in detail with reference to the followingfigures. The drawings are provided for purposes of illustration only andmerely depict typical or example embodiments of the disclosedtechnology. These drawings are provided to facilitate the reader'sunderstanding of the disclosed technology and shall not be consideredlimiting of the breadth, scope, or applicability thereof. It should benoted that for clarity and ease of illustration these drawings are notnecessarily made to scale.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example transponded satellite system according toembodiments of the disclosed technology.

FIG. 2 illustrates a process for the satellite system where thesatellite terminal 120 selects frequency bands according to embodimentsof the disclosed technology.

FIG. 3 graphically illustrates the relationships between sky conditionsand MODCODS for two frequency bands.

FIG. 4 illustrates a process for the satellite system where the gatewayselects frequency bands for the terminal according to embodiments of thedisclosed technology.

FIG. 5 illustrates a process where the gateway selects frequency bandsfor the terminal according to embodiments of the disclosed technology.

FIG. 6 illustrates a computer system upon which example embodimentsaccording to the present disclosure can be implemented.

FIG. 7 illustrates a chip set in which embodiments of the disclosure maybe implemented.

The figures are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the inventionto the precise form disclosed. It should be understood that theinvention can be practiced with modification and alteration, and thatthe disclosed technology be limited only by the claims and theequivalents thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments of the systems and methods disclosed herein providetechniques for operating a multi-band terminal in a multi-band satellitenetwork system to improve the capacity of the system while maintainingthe quality and availability of the satellite link with the terminal.

It should be noted that the terms “optimize,” “optimal” and the like asused herein can be used to mean making or achieving performance aseffective or perfect as possible. However, as one of ordinary skill inthe art reading this document will recognize, perfection cannot alwaysbe achieved. Accordingly, these terms can also encompass making orachieving performance as good or effective as possible or practicalunder the given circumstances, or making or achieving performance betterthan that which can be achieved with other settings or parameters.

In order to maximize system availability while providing the bestquality of service (QoS) to the end-user, current satellite systemsfeature terminals that dynamically switch between various modulationsand forward error-correction code rates (MODCODs). For satelliteterminals that can operate only in a single frequency band (e.g., Kaband only), a terminal may determine the optimal MODCOD based on linkconditions. For example, a terminal may switch from one MODCOD toanother in response to a change in the link conditions, such as signalfade due to weather.

Satellite systems may respond to these changes by moving terminals fromone outroute frequency channel to another. For example, the system maymonitor the traffic load across the various outroute channels to keepstraffic loads balanced by moving terminals between the channels. So, fora single band system, the terminal utilizes the best MODCOD for itscurrent link conditions, and the system performs load balancing bymoving terminals between the frequency channels.

Some satellite systems may feature multi-band satellite terminals. Forexample, a satellite terminal may be capable of operating in any of theKu, Ka, Q, and V frequency bands, where Ku is a lower frequency bandthan Ka, which is lower than Q and so on. The lower bands offer morerobust links in that they are less impacted by weather impairments.Conversely, higher frequency bands are less robust as they are impactedmore due to weather impairments.

In any satellite system one of the key challenges is to utilize thesatellite frequency spectrum efficiently and optimally, meaning thatthat the spectrum is used to maximize the amount of data it carries.Generally, a given spectrum is broken into smaller channels, e.g. a 1000MHz band of frequency may be configured as 4 channels of 250 MHz. Apopulation of satellite terminals are distributed to use these channelssuch that each of these channels is maximized in its use, meaning that asituation does not occur where some channels are congested because toomany terminals are assigned to them while other channels areunder-utilized because fewer terminals are using them. Therefore, thesatellite system dynamically moves terminals between channels to keepthe traffic load across all channels balanced. In such systems withmultiple frequency bands available, the optimization of systemavailability and capacity may include selecting frequency bands inaddition to frequency channels and MODCODs.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example transponded satellite system 100 accordingto embodiments of the disclosed technology. The satellite system mayinclude a satellite that relays traffic between a gateway and one ormore satellite terminals. In the satellite system 100 of FIG. 1, asatellite 140 relays traffic between a gateway 110 and terminals 120 and130. The terminals 120 and 130 may be implemented as very small apertureterminals (VSAT). But while only two satellite terminals are depicted,it should be understood that the disclosed satellite systems may includemany more satellite terminals. In the example of FIG. 1, the outroutesare depicted in solid arrows, while the inroutes are depicted as brokenarrows.

The satellite 140 may be any suitable communications satellite. Forexample, the satellite 140 may be a bent-pipe design geostationarysatellite. The satellite 140 may use one or more spot beams as well asfrequency and polarization reuse to maximize the total capacity of thesatellite system 100. Signals passing through the satellite 140 on theoutroute may be based on the DVB-S2 standard (ETSI EN 302 307) usingsignal constellations up to and including 32-APSK or higher ordermodulation formats. The signals intended to pass through the satellite140 on the inroute may be based on the Internet Protocol over Satellite(IPoS) standard (ETSI TS 102 354). Other suitable signal types may alsobe used in either direction, including, for example higher data ratevariations of DVB-S2.

The gateway 110 may exchange traffic with an external network 160. Forexample, the external network 160 may be the Internet, and the gateway110 may exchange packets of data with the Internet. Data intended forterminal 120 and 130 may be in the form of IP packets, including TCPpackets and UDP packets, or any other suitable IP packets. Similarly, IPpackets may enter the network via the terminals 120 and 130, beprocessed by terminals, and be transmitted to satellite 140.

For brevity, the structure and function of the satellite terminal isdescribed only for terminal 120. Other terminals, such as terminal 130,may have similar structure and function. The terminal 120 may exchangetraffic with a user device or network 150. For example, the user deviceor network 150 may include a local area network (LAN) that includes oneor more computers, and the terminal 120 may exchange packets data withthe computers over the LAN. For example, the terminal 120 may be used ata residence or place of business to provide a user with access to theInternet, and may include a remote satellite dish for receiving RFsignals from and transmitting RF signals to the satellite 140, as wellas a satellite modem and other equipment for managing the sending andreceiving of data. The terminal 120 may also include one or more remotehosts, which may be computer systems or other electronic devices capableof network communications at the site.

The gateway 110 may include a transmit-side physical-layer device (TXPHY) 111, a receive-side physical-layer device (RX PHY) 112, atransmit-side media access controller/satellite link controller (TXMAC/SLC) 113, and a receive-side media access controller/satellite linkcontroller (RX MAC/SLC) 114. The gateway 110 may also include a trafficand control processing module 115 that is in communication with theexternal network 160. The gateway 110 may also include a link conditionsdatabase 116.

The terminal 120 may include a transmit-side physical-layer device/tuner(TX PHY) 121, a receive-side physical-layer device/multi-band tuner (RXPHY) 122, a transmit-side media access controller/satellite linkcontroller (TX MAC/SLC) 123, and a receive-side media accesscontroller/satellite link controller (TX MAC/SLC) 124. The terminal 120may also include a traffic and control processing module 125 that is incommunication with the user device or network 150. The terminal 120 mayalso include a link conditions database 126.

In operation, on the inroute, the traffic and control processing module125 of the terminal 120 may provide inroute transmit packets (Tx Packet)to the TX MAC/SLC 123 and TX PHY 121, which provide correspondingsignals to the satellite 140. The uplink frequency band of the satellitebeam may be split into any number of subband inroute frequency channels(IFC) with any number of symbol rates of, for example, 512 ksps, 1 Msps,2 Msps, 4 Msps, etc. Depending on operating conditions (e.g. weather,status of terminal, status of satellite), the terminal 120 may attemptto transition from one IFC to a target IFC with a same, lower, or highersymbol rate.

The satellite 140 provides these signals to the RX PHY 112 and RXMAC/SLC 124 of the gateway 110, which provide the packets (Rx Packet) tothe traffic and control processing module 115. The traffic and controlprocessing module 115 may also choose the frequency band on which thesatellite terminal 120 receives the signals from the satellite 140.

In operation, on the outroute, the traffic and control processing module115 of the gateway 110 may provide outroute transmit packets (Tx Packet)to the TX MAC/SLC 113 and TX PHY 111, which provide correspondingsignals to the satellite 140. The satellite 140 provides correspondingsignals to the RX PHY 122 and RX MAC/SLC 124 of the terminal 120, whichprovide the packets (Rx Packet) to the traffic and control processingmodule 125. The RX PHY 122 and RX MAC/SLC 124 also generate metricsrepresenting link conditions for the outroute downlink, that is, theoutroute link from the satellite 140 to the satellite terminal 120. Forexample, the RX PHY 122 and RX MAC/SLC 124 may receive carriers (e.g.,continuous or time division multiple access (TDMA) bursts) from thesatellite 140, and may measure those carriers to generate receivequality metrics (referred to in FIG. 1 as Rx Metric). The RX PHY 122 andRX MAC/SLC 124 may provide the Rx Metric to the traffic and controlprocessing module 125.

FIG. 2 illustrates a process 200 for the satellite system 100 where thesatellite terminal 120 selects frequency bands according to embodimentsof the disclosed technology. Referring to FIG. 2, the process 200 mayinclude controlling a multi-band satellite ground terminal capable ofreceiving signals on a plurality of frequency bands to receive a signaltransmitted by the satellite on a first one of the frequency bands, at202. The satellite terminal may be assigned a default band of operationbased on its geographic location in the beam of the satellite 140.Terminals having lower signal quality factor (SQF) due to being locatedon the edge of the beam may default to a low-frequency band. Forexample, referring again to FIG. 1, the traffic and control processingmodule 125 may control the RX PHY 122 of the satellite terminal 120 toreceive the outroute signals from the satellite 140 on the Ku band.

Referring again to FIG. 2, the process 200 may include determiningconditions of the first one of the frequency bands based on the receivedsignal, at 204. For example, referring again to FIG. 1, the RX PHY 122and/or RX MAC/SLC 124 of the satellite terminal 120 may generate metricsindicative of the link conditions on the Q band, and may provide thesemetrics to the traffic and control processing module 125. The linkconditions may include signal quality, signal level, other metrics, orcombinations thereof. For example, the signal quality may be representedas a SQF. As another example, the signal quality and signal level may berepresented as a ratio of energy per symbol to noise power spectraldensity (EsNo).

Referring again to FIG. 2, the process 200 may include generatingestimates of link conditions of a second frequency band based on thelink conditions of the first one of the frequency bands, at 206. Forexample, referring again to FIG. 1, the traffic and control processingmodule 125 of the satellite terminal 120 may generate estimates of linkconditions on one of the outroute Ku, Ka, and V frequency bands based onthe link conditions determined for the Q band.

In embodiments where the terminal 120 is capable of operating on two ormore bands, the traffic and control processing module 125 of thesatellite terminal 120 may generate estimates of link conditions on twoor more of the second frequency bands. For example, in an embodimentwhere the terminal 120 is capable of operating in any of the Ku, Ka, Q,and V frequency bands, the traffic and control processing module 125 ofthe satellite terminal 120 may generate estimates of link conditions ontwo or more of the outroute Ku, Ka, and V frequency bands based on thelink conditions determined for the Q band.

The estimate(s) may include estimates of link conditions on that bandfor each of the MODCODS available for that band. These estimates may begenerated using conventional techniques. For example, one such techniqueis described in the paper “A Prediction Model that Combines RainAttenuation and Other Propagation Impairments Along Earth-SatellitePaths” by Dissanayake et al. in the Online Journal of SpaceCommunication, Issue No. 2, Fall 2002.

Referring again to FIG. 2, the process 200 may include selecting thesecond frequency band based on the estimate of the link conditions ofthe second frequency band, at 208. For example, referring again to FIG.1, the traffic and control processing module 125 may select the outrouteKu frequency band based on the estimates of the link conditions for thatband. As an example, a sudden thunderstorm may cause the link conditionson the Q band to suddenly deteriorate, while link conditions on thelower-frequency Ku band are relatively unaffected. In this example, thetraffic and control processing module 125 may select the Ku band, whichmay provide better service and availability under such adverse weatherconditions. As another example, the end of a rainstorm may cause linkconditions on the V band to improve significantly. In this example, thetraffic and control processing module 125 may select the V band.

In embodiments where the terminal is capable of operating on two or morebands, the process 200 may include selecting one of the second frequencybands based on the estimates of the link conditions of two or more ofthe second frequency bands. For example, in an embodiment where theterminal 120 is capable of operating in any of the Ku, Ka, Q, and Vfrequency bands, the traffic and control processing module 125 of thesatellite terminal 120 may select one of the outroute Ku, Ka, and Vfrequency bands based on estimates of link conditions on each of thosebands.

As mentioned above, the estimates of link conditions for each band mayinclude estimates of link conditions for each MODCOD supported by thatband. In such cases, the traffic and control processing module 125 mayselect the band and the MODCOD for the terminal 120 to receive signalsfrom the satellite 140. For example, the traffic and control processingmodule 125 may select the highest MODCOD possible in order to improvespectrum utilization. FIG. 3 graphically illustrates the relationshipsbetween sky conditions and MODCODS for two frequency bands. In FIG. 3,MODCOD 4 is the highest MODCOD, while MODCOD 1 is the lowest, and Band Bis a higher-frequency band than Band A. As can be seen in FIG. 3, bettersky conditions allow the use of higher MODCODS within a frequency band.And for a given sky condition, a lower frequency band allows higherMODCODS than a higher frequency band.

Techniques for selecting MODCOD based on link conditions are disclosedin a commonly-owned co-pending U.S. patent application entitled “SystemsAnd Methods For Using Adaptive Coding And Modulation In A RegenerativeSatellite Communication System,” Ser. No. 15/281,737, filed Sep. 30,2016, the disclosure thereof incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety.

In some embodiments, the frequency band selection process includesconsideration of desired link conditions. For example, the desired linkconditions may reflect the terms of a service-level agreement (SLA) forthe terminal 120. The frequency band selection process may include acomparison of the link conditions of the current band, and the estimatesof the link conditions of one or more other bands, to the desired linkconditions. The desired link conditions may be stored in the linkconditions database 126 of the satellite terminal 120.

The traffic and control processing module 125 may consider other factorswhen selecting a frequency band for receiving signals from the satellite140. For example, in order to provide improved load-balancing, thesefactors may include traffic levels on each band. In such examples, thetraffic and control processing module 125 may determine current trafficlevels for each band, and may consider current traffic levels inchoosing the frequency band.

Referring again to FIG. 2, the process 200 may include controlling themulti-band satellite ground terminal to receive the signals transmittedby the satellite on the selected second frequency bands, at 210. Forexample, referring again to FIG. 1, the traffic and control processingmodule 125 may control the RX PHY 122 to receive signals from thesatellite 140 on the Q band.

Referring again to FIG. 2, the process 200 may include transmitting bandselection information to the gateway. For example, referring again toFIG. 1, the terminal 120 may inform the gateway 110 of the selection ofthe Q band for receiving the signals from the satellite 140. Theterminal 120 may transmit this information to the gateway 110 over theinroute links. The gateway 110 may use this information, together withinformation indicative of traffic levels of other terminals in thesatellite system 100, to perform functions such as load balancing amongoutroute frequency bands, and the like.

FIG. 4 illustrates a process 400 for the satellite system 100 where thegateway 110 selects frequency bands for the terminal 120 according toembodiments of the disclosed technology. While the process 400 isdescribed for a terminal 120 capable of operating on only two frequencybands, it should be understood that the process 400 may easily beextended to a terminal 120 capable of operating on three or morefrequency bands, for example as with the process 200 of FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 4, the process 400 may include controlling amulti-band satellite ground terminal capable of receiving signals on aplurality of frequency bands to receive a signal transmitted by thesatellite on the first one of the frequency bands, at 402. For example,referring again to FIG. 1, the traffic and control processing module 125may control the RX PHY 122 of the satellite terminal 120 receive theoutroute signals from the satellite 140 on the Q band.

Referring again to FIG. 4, the process 400 may include determiningconditions of the first one of the frequency bands based on the receivedsignal, at 404. For example, referring again to FIG. 1, the RX PHY 122and RX MAC/SLC 124 of the satellite terminal 120 may generate metricsindicative of the link conditions on the Q band, and may provide thesemetrics to the traffic and control processing module 125. The linkconditions may include signal quality, signal level, other metrics, orcombinations thereof. For example, the signal quality may be representedas SQF. As another example, the signal quality and signal level may berepresented as a ratio of energy per symbol to noise power spectraldensity (EsNo).

Referring again to FIG. 4, the process 400 may include generatingestimates of link conditions of a second frequency band based on thelink conditions of the first one of the frequency bands, at 406. Forexample, referring again to FIG. 1, the traffic and control processingmodule 125 of the satellite terminal 120 may generate estimates of linkconditions on the outroute Ku frequency band based on the linkconditions determined for the Q band. The estimates for each band mayinclude estimates of link conditions on that band for each of theMODCODS available for that band.

Referring again to FIG. 4, the process 400 may include transmitting theestimate of the link conditions to the gateway, at 408. For example,referring again to FIG. 1, the satellite terminal 120 may transmit theestimate to the gateway 110 using inroute links through the satellite140. The traffic and control processing module 115 of the gateway 110may select the second frequency band based on the estimate of the linkconditions of the second frequency band, at 408, for example asdescribed above with reference to FIG. 2.

The frequency band selection process may include a comparison of thelink conditions of the current band, and the estimate of the linkconditions of one or more other bands, to the desired link conditions.The desired link conditions may be stored in the link conditionsdatabase 116 of the gateway 110.

As mentioned above, the estimates of link conditions for each band mayinclude estimates of link conditions for each MODCOD supported by thatband. In such cases, the traffic and control processing module 115 ofthe gateway 110 may select the band and the MODCOD for the terminal 120to receive signals from the satellite 140, for example as describedabove.

The traffic and control processing module 115 may consider other factorswhen selecting a frequency band for the terminal 120 to receive signalsfrom the satellite 140. For example, the gateway may distributeterminals across bands when the traffic load on one band is too high. Inthis example, the estimated SQF (or alternatively the MODCOD) for thebands are transmitted from the terminals to the gateway to enable thegateway to determine the optimal placement of terminals across thefrequency bands.

As another example, to keep the load distributed across bandsefficiently, the system 100 may move terminals with higher SQF to higherfrequency bands while keeping terminals with lower SQF in the lowerfrequency bands. As weather conditions change for the terminals, thesystem 100 may continually re-distribute the terminals based on thetheir current SQF to ensure optimal load distribution across the bands.

In some embodiments of the multi-band satellite system, only a subset ofthe terminals may operate in multi-band mode due to differing terminalcapabilities. Some of the terminals may have hardware that notmulti-band capable. For example, the radio may not have sufficienttuning and/or operating range. In systems such as these, the loadbalancing operations may consider terminal capability.

In some embodiments, some of the terminals that are capable ofmulti-band operation may not be eligible to operate in all of the bands,for example due to the terms of the corresponding service levelagreement (SLA). In this example, one terminal may be eligible forhigher availability versus another terminal, such that the firstterminal may operate at a higher frequency band (which would generallyprovide more capacity), and may fall back to a lower band (which mighthave much more limited capacity) in case of rain, whereas the secondterminal may not be eligible to operate at the lower band and is simplyallowed to fade out of service in case of rain. In systems such asthese, the load balancing operations may consider terminal eligibility.

In some embodiments, continuing the above example, even if bothterminals are eligible to operate in both bands, one terminal (or set ofterminals) may be given priority access to the lower (and lessattenuated) frequency band in rain, and the other terminal(s) may onlybe given access to the lower frequency band if its limited capacity isnot needed by the higher priority terminals. This prioritization may bespecified by the terminal SLA. In systems such as these, the loadbalancing operations may consider terminal priority.

The gateway 110 may transmit band selection indicative of the selectionof the second frequency band to the terminal 120, for example usingoutroute links through the satellite 140. Referring again to FIG. 4, theprocess 400 may include receiving the band selection indicative of theselection of the one of the second frequency bands, at 410, and mayselect the second frequency band based on the band selection, at 412.The process 400 may include controlling the multi-band satellite groundterminal 120 to receive the signals transmitted by the satellite on theselected one of the second frequency bands, at 412, for example asdescribed above.

FIG. 5 illustrates a process 500 where the gateway 110 selects frequencybands for the terminal 120 according to embodiments of the disclosedtechnology. Referring to FIG. 5, process 500 may include receivingestimates of link conditions from the terminals in the satellite system100, at 502. Referring to FIG. 1, the gateway 110 may receive estimatesof link conditions generated by terminals 120, 130, and other terminalsin the satellite system 100. These estimates may be determined by theterminals as described above.

Referring again to FIG. 5, the process 500 may include determiningcongestion levels of the frequency channels employed by the terminals onthe outroutes, at 504. These congestion levels may be determined by thegateway 110 either alone, or in conjunction with the terminals 120, 130.

The process 500 may include obtaining target load thresholds for theoutroutes within each frequency band, at 506. For example, the targetload thresholds may specify a maximum traffic load, a minimum trafficload, other traffic loads, or combinations thereof. These thresholds maybe stored at the gateway 110.

The process 500 may include obtaining target service levels for eachterminal, at 508. Each service level may be determined by a SLA, forexample as described above. These service levels may be stored at thegateway 110.

The process 500 may include selecting a frequency band for eachterminal, at 510. The selection process may consider the estimates oflink conditions reported by the terminals, the determined congestionlevels of the frequency channels, the target load thresholds for thehelp routes within each frequency band, the target service levels foreach terminal, or any combination thereof.

The process 500 may include transmitting band selections to theterminals, at 512. Each band selection may include a selection offrequency band, a selection of frequency channel, a selection of MODCOD,or any combination thereof. Upon receiving the band selections,terminals begin to operate according to those selections.

In some embodiments, the disclosed terminals may also or alternativelybe capable of operating on multiple inroute frequency bandsconcurrently. In some embodiments, the above-disclosed systems andmethods are easily adapted to accommodate the selection and concurrentuse of multiple frequency bands by a terminal, as will be apparent toone skilled in the relevant art.

In these embodiments, terminal receive signal quality in one band may beused to estimate terminal transmit link conditions across multiple otherbands, recognizing that the same rain attenuation path will affect boththe terminal uplink and downlink signal. Terminal transmit signalquality in one band (as measured and relayed by the gateway) may be usedto estimate terminal transmit link conditions across one or more otherbands.

FIG. 6 illustrates a computer system 600 upon which example embodimentsaccording to the present disclosure can be implemented. Computer system600 can include a bus 602 or other communication mechanism forcommunicating information, and a processor 604 coupled to bus 602 forprocessing information. Computer system 600 may also include main memory606, such as a random access memory (RAM) or other dynamic storagedevice, coupled to bus 602 for storing information and instructions tobe executed by processor 604.

Main memory 606 can also be used for storing temporary variables orother intermediate information during execution of instructions to beexecuted by processor 604. Computer system 600 may further include aread only memory (ROM) 608 or other static storage device coupled to bus602 for storing static information and instructions for processor 604. Astorage device 610, such as a magnetic disk or optical disk, mayadditionally be coupled to bus 602 for storing information andinstructions.

Computer system 600 may be implemented as an embedded system, and so maybe implemented without a user interface.

According to one embodiment of the disclosure, satellite noise andinterference calibration, in accordance with example embodiments, areprovided by computer system 600 in response to processor 604 executingan arrangement of instructions contained in main memory 606. Suchinstructions can be read into main memory 606 from anothercomputer-readable medium, such as storage device 610. Execution of thearrangement of instructions contained in main memory 606 causesprocessor 604 to perform one or more processes described herein. One ormore processors in a multi-processing arrangement may also be employedto execute the instructions contained in main memory 606. In alternativeembodiments, hard-wired circuitry is used in place of or in combinationwith software instructions to implement various embodiments. Thus,embodiments described in the present disclosure are not limited to anyspecific combination of hardware circuitry and software.

Computer system 600 may also include a communication interface 618coupled to bus 602. Communication interface 618 can provide a two-waydata communication coupling to a network link 620 connected to a localnetwork 622. By way of example, communication interface 618 may be adigital subscriber line (DSL) card or modem, an integrated servicesdigital network (ISDN) card, a cable modem, or a telephone modem toprovide a data communication connection to a corresponding type oftelephone line. As another example, communication interface 618 may be alocal area network (LAN) card (e.g. for Ethernet™ or an AsynchronousTransfer Model (ATM) network) to provide a data communication connectionto a compatible LAN. Wireless links can also be implemented. In any suchimplementation, communication interface 618 sends and receiveselectrical, electromagnetic, or optical signals that carry digital datastreams representing various types of information. Further,communication interface 618 may include peripheral interface devices,such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface, a PCMCIA (PersonalComputer Memory Card International Association) interface, etc.

Network link 620 typically provides data communication through one ormore networks to other data devices. By way of example, network link 620can provide a connection through local network 622 to network devices,for example including a host computer (PC) 624, a smartphone 626, andthe like. Local network 622 may both use electrical, electromagnetic, oroptical signals to convey information and instructions. The signalsthrough the various networks and the signals on network link 620 andthrough communication interface 618, which communicate digital data withcomputer system 600, are example forms of carrier waves bearing theinformation and instructions.

Computer system 600 may send messages and receive data, includingprogram code, through the network(s), network link 620, andcommunication interface 618. In the Internet example, a server (notshown) might transmit requested code belonging to an application programfor implementing an embodiment of the present disclosure through localnetwork 622 and communication interface 618. Processor 604 executes thetransmitted code while being received and/or store the code in storagedevice 610, or other non-volatile storage for later execution. In thismanner, computer system 600 obtains application code in the form of acarrier wave.

Computer system 600 may include equipment for communication between thebus 602 and a terrestrial satellite dish 628. in particular, thecomputer system 600 may include a transmit-side physical-layerdevice/multi-band tuner (TX PHY) 631, a receive-side physical-layerdevice/multi-band tuner (RX PHY) 632, a transmit-side media accesscontroller/satellite link controller (TX MAC/SLC) 633, and areceive-side media access controller/satellite link controller (TXMAC/SLC) 634. These elements may operate as described above for TX PHY121, RX PHY 122, TX MAC/SLC 123, and TX MAC/SLC 124.

The term “computer-readable medium” as used herein refers to any mediumthat participates in providing instructions to processor 604 forexecution. Such a medium may take many forms, including but not limitedto non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media.Non-volatile media include, for example, optical or magnetic disks, suchas storage device 610. Volatile media may include dynamic memory, suchas main memory 606. Transmission media may include coaxial cables,copper wire and fiber optics, including the wires that comprise bus 602.Transmission media can also take the form of acoustic, optical, orelectromagnetic waves, such as those generated during radio frequency(RF) and infrared (IR) data communications. Common forms ofcomputer-readable media include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexibledisk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, a CD ROM,CDRW, DVD, any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, opticalmark sheets, any other physical medium with patterns of holes or otheroptically recognizable indicia, a RAM, a PROM, and EPROM, a FLASH EPROM,any other memory chip or cartridge, a carrier wave, or any other mediumfrom which a computer can read.

Various forms of computer-readable media may be involved in providinginstructions to a processor for execution. By way of example, theinstructions for carrying out at least part of the present disclosuremay initially be borne on a magnetic disk of a remote computer. In sucha scenario, the remote computer loads the instructions into main memoryand sends the instructions over a telephone line using a modem. A modemof a local computer system receives the data on the telephone line anduses an infrared transmitter to convert the data to an infrared signaland transmit the infrared signal to a portable computing device, such asa personal digital assistance (PDA) and a laptop. An infrared detectoron the portable computing device receives the information andinstructions borne by the infrared signal and places the data on a bus.The bus conveys the data to main memory, from which a processorretrieves and executes the instructions. The instructions received bymain memory may optionally be stored on storage device either before orafter execution by processor.

FIG. 7 illustrates a chip set 700 in which embodiments of the disclosuremay be implemented. Chip set 700 can include, for instance, processorand memory components described with respect to FIG. 7 incorporated inone or more physical packages. By way of example, a physical packageincludes an arrangement of one or more materials, components, and/orwires on a structural assembly (e.g., a baseboard) to provide one ormore characteristics such as physical strength, conservation of size,and/or limitation of electrical interaction.

In one embodiment, chip set 700 includes a communication mechanism suchas a bus 1002 for passing information among the components of the chipset 700. A processor 704 has connectivity to bus 702 to executeinstructions and process information stored in a memory 706. Processor704 includes one or more processing cores with each core configured toperform independently. A multi-core processor enables multiprocessingwithin a single physical package. Examples of a multi-core processorinclude two, four, eight, or greater numbers of processing cores.Alternatively or in addition, processor 704 includes one or moremicroprocessors configured in tandem via bus 702 to enable independentexecution of instructions, pipelining, and multithreading. Processor1004 may also be accompanied with one or more specialized components toperform certain processing functions and tasks such as one or moredigital signal processors (DSP) 708, and/or one or moreapplication-specific integrated circuits (ASIC) 710. DSP 708 cantypically be configured to process real-world signals (e.g., sound) inreal time independently of processor 704. Similarly, ASIC 710 can beconfigured to performed specialized functions not easily performed by ageneral purposed processor. Other specialized components to aid inperforming the inventive functions described herein include one or morefield programmable gate arrays (FPGA) (not shown), one or morecontrollers (not shown), or one or more other special-purpose computerchips.

Processor 704 and accompanying components have connectivity to thememory 706 via bus 702. Memory 706 includes both dynamic memory (e.g.,RAM) and static memory (e.g., ROM) for storing executable instructionsthat, when executed by processor 704, DSP 708, and/or ASIC 710, performthe process of example embodiments as described herein. Memory 706 alsostores the data associated with or generated by the execution of theprocess.

As used herein, the term module might describe a given unit offunctionality that can be performed in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the present application. As used herein, a module mightbe implemented utilizing any form of hardware, software, or acombination thereof. For example, one or more processors, controllers,ASICs, PLAs, PALs, CPLDs, FPGAs, logical components, software routinesor other mechanisms might be implemented to make up a module. Inimplementation, the various modules described herein might beimplemented as discrete modules or the functions and features describedcan be shared in part or in total among one or more modules. In otherwords, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art afterreading this description, the various features and functionalitydescribed herein may be implemented in any given application and can beimplemented in one or more separate or shared modules in variouscombinations and permutations. Even though various features or elementsof functionality may be individually described or claimed as separatemodules, one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that thesefeatures and functionality can be shared among one or more commonsoftware and hardware elements, and such description shall not requireor imply that separate hardware or software components are used toimplement such features or functionality.

Although described above in terms of various exemplary embodiments andimplementations, it should be understood that the various features,aspects and functionality described in one or more of the individualembodiments are not limited in their applicability to the particularembodiment with which they are described, but instead can be applied,alone or in various combinations, to one or more of the otherembodiments of the present application, whether or not such embodimentsare described and whether or not such features are presented as being apart of a described embodiment. Thus, the breadth and scope of thepresent application should not be limited by any of the above-describedexemplary embodiments.

Terms and phrases used in the present application, and variationsthereof, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be construed as openended as opposed to limiting. As examples of the foregoing: the term“including” should be read as meaning “including, without limitation” orthe like; the term “example” is used to provide exemplary instances ofthe item in discussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof; theterms “a” or “an” should be read as meaning “at least one,” “one ormore” or the like; and adjectives such as “conventional,” “traditional,”“normal,” “standard,” “known” and terms of similar meaning should not beconstrued as limiting the item described to a given time period or to anitem available as of a given time, but instead should be read toencompass conventional, traditional, normal, or standard technologiesthat may be available or known now or at any time in the future.Likewise, where this document refers to technologies that would beapparent or known to one of ordinary skill in the art, such technologiesencompass those apparent or known to the skilled artisan now or at anytime in the future.

The use of the term “module” does not imply that the components orfunctionality described or claimed as part of the module are allconfigured in a common package. Indeed, any or all of the variouscomponents of a module, whether control logic or other components, canbe combined in a single package or separately maintained and can furtherbe distributed in multiple groupings or packages or across multiplelocations.

Additionally, the various embodiments set forth herein are described interms of exemplary block diagrams, flow charts and other illustrations.As will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art afterreading this document, the illustrated embodiments and their variousalternatives can be implemented without confinement to the illustratedexamples. For example, block diagrams and their accompanying descriptionshould not be construed as mandating a particular architecture orconfiguration.

What is claimed is:
 1. A gateway in a satellite system including aterminal capable of receiving signals on a plurality of frequency bands,the gateway comprising: a hardware processor; and a non-transitorymachine-readable storage medium storing instructions executable by thehardware processor to perform a method comprising: performing at leastone of: receiving, from the terminal in the satellite system, anestimate of a link condition of a link between the terminal and arespective satellite in the satellite system, determining congestionlevels of a plurality of frequency bands employed by the terminal onoutroute links to the respective satellite, obtaining target loadthresholds for the outroute links within the plurality of frequencybands, and obtaining a target service level for the terminal; selectinga frequency band for the terminal based on at least one of: the receivedestimate of the link condition, the determined congestion levels of thefrequency bands, the obtained target load thresholds for the outrouteswithin the plurality of frequency bands, and the obtained target servicelevel for the terminal; and transmitting, by the gateway, a bandselection to the terminal, wherein the band selection indicates thefrequency band selected by the gateway for the terminal.
 2. The gatewayof claim 1, further comprising: receiving from the terminal in thesatellite system, the estimate of the link condition; comparing theestimate of the link condition to a desired link condition; andselecting the frequency band based on the comparing.
 3. The gateway ofclaim 2, wherein the estimate of the link conditions includes anestimate of the link conditions for a plurality of modulation and codingschemes, the method further comprising: selecting one of the modulationand coding schemes based on the estimates of the link conditions for theplurality of modulation and coding schemes; and transmitting amodulation and coding scheme selection to the terminal, wherein themodulation and coding scheme selection indicates the one of themodulation and coding schemes selected by the gateway for the terminal.4. The gateway of claim 1, wherein: the link conditions comprise atleast one of a signal quality or a signal level.
 5. The gateway of claim1, further comprising: determining a current traffic level for theplurality of frequency bands employed by the terminal on outroute linksto the respective satellite; and selecting the frequency band based onthe current traffic levels.
 6. The gateway of claim 1, furthercomprising: receiving, from terminal in the satellite system, a signalquality factor (SQF) estimate; and selecting the frequency band based onthe SQF estimates.
 7. The gateway of claim 1, further comprising:determining an eligibility of the terminal to operate in the pluralityof frequency bands employed by the terminal on outroute links to therespective satellite; and selecting the frequency band based on thedetermined eligibilities.
 8. A non-transitory machine-readable storagemedium storing instructions executable by a hardware processor of acomputing component, the machine-readable storage medium comprisinginstructions to cause the hardware processor to perform a methodcomprising: performing, by a gateway in a satellite system including aterminal capable of receiving signals on a plurality of frequency bands,at least one of: receiving, from the terminal in the satellite system,an estimate of a link condition of a link between the terminal and arespective satellite in the satellite system, determining congestionlevels of a plurality of frequency bands employed by the terminal onoutroute links to the respective satellite, obtaining target loadthresholds for the outroute links within the plurality of frequencybands, and obtaining a target service level for the terminal; selectinga frequency band for the terminal based on at least one of: the receivedestimate of the link condition, the determined congestion levels of thefrequency bands, the obtained target load thresholds for the outrouteswithin the plurality of frequency bands, and the obtained target servicelevel for the terminal; and transmitting a band selection to theterminal, wherein the band selection indicates the frequency bandselected by the gateway for the terminal.
 9. The medium of claim 8,further comprising: receiving, from the terminal in the satellitesystem, the estimate of the link condition; comparing the estimate ofthe link condition to a desired link condition; and selecting thefrequency band based on the comparing.
 10. The medium of claim 9,wherein the estimate of the link conditions includes an estimate of thelink conditions for a plurality of modulation and coding schemes, themethod further comprising: selecting one of the modulation and codingschemes based on the estimates of the link conditions for the pluralityof modulation and coding schemes; and transmitting a modulation andcoding scheme selection to the terminal, wherein the modulation andcoding scheme selection indicates the one of the modulation and codingschemes selected by the gateway for the terminal.
 11. The medium ofclaim 8, wherein: the link conditions comprise at least one of a signalquality or a signal level.
 12. The medium of claim 8, furthercomprising: determining a current traffic level for the plurality offrequency bands employed by the terminal on outroute links to therespective satellite; and selecting the frequency band based on thecurrent traffic levels.
 13. The medium of claim 8, further comprising:receiving, from the terminal, a signal quality factor (SQF) estimate;and selecting the frequency band based on the SQF estimates.
 14. Themedium of claim 8, further comprising: determining an eligibility of theterminal to operate in the plurality of frequency bands employed by theterminal on outroute links to the respective satellite; and selectingthe frequency band based on the determined eligibilities.
 15. Acomputer-implemented method comprising: performing, by a gateway in asatellite system including a terminal capable of receiving signals on aplurality of frequency bands, at least one of: receiving, from theterminal in the satellite system, an estimate of a link condition of alink between the terminal and a respective satellite in the satellitesystem, determining congestion levels of a plurality of frequency bandsemployed by the terminal on outroute links to the respective satellite,obtaining target load thresholds for the outroute links within theplurality of frequency bands, and obtaining a target service level forthe terminal; selecting, by the gateway, a frequency band for theterminal based on at least one of: the received estimate of the linkcondition, the determined congestion levels of the frequency bands, theobtained target load thresholds for the outroutes within the pluralityof frequency bands, and the obtained target service level for theterminal; and transmitting, by the gateway, a band selection to theterminal, wherein the band selection indicates the frequency bandselected by the gateway for the terminal.
 16. The method of claim 15,further comprising: receiving, by the gateway, from the terminal, theestimate of the link condition; comparing, by the gateway, the estimateof the link condition to a desired link condition; and selecting, by thegateway, the frequency band based on the comparing.
 17. The method ofclaim 16, wherein the estimate of the link conditions includes anestimate of the link conditions for a plurality of modulation and codingschemes, the method further comprising: selecting, by the gateway, oneof the modulation and coding schemes based on the estimates of the linkconditions for the plurality of modulation and coding schemes; andtransmitting, by the gateway, a modulation and coding scheme selectionto the terminal, wherein the modulation and coding scheme selectionindicates the one of the modulation and coding schemes selected by thegateway for the terminal.
 18. The method of claim 15, wherein: the linkconditions comprise at least one of a signal quality or a signal level.19. The method of claim 15, further comprising: determining, by thegateway, a current traffic level for the plurality of frequency bandsemployed by the terminal on outroute links to the respective satellite;and selecting, by the gateway, the frequency band based on the currenttraffic levels.
 20. The method of claim 15, further comprising:receiving, by the gateway, from terminal in the satellite system, asignal quality factor (SQF) estimate; and selecting, by the gateway, thefrequency band based on the SQF estimates.